Apparatus for exploding mine charges.



G. I. DODSON.

APPARATUS FOR EXPLODING MINE GHABGES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 1907.

89%,87 Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

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c. I. mason. APPARATUS FOR EXPLOQING MINE CHARGES.-

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 6, 1907.

0: I. DODSON. APPARATUS FOR EXPLODING MINE GHABGES.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 6, 1907. 898,84? Patented Sept. iiiQUS.

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binding nut for fastening to clock face.

U T srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

ioHaRLEs-ir. no -neon or 'rrrrsnnno, KAN

'nrrniinrus FOR EXPLODING MINE, CHARGES.

To all whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that 1, CHARLES I. DODSON, a citizen of theUnited States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Crawford and State of Kansas, have invented a new and-useful Improvement in Apparatus for Exploding Mine Charges, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of this invention is to provide means and system whereby blasting charges may be placed in position throughout amine or other excavation and each connected to a source of electric energy, including mechanism for successfully .closing the circuit through the blasting charges at any desired interval of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of such nature that the closing of a circuit or the creation of-a spark within or adjacent .to the explosive charges will be insured, so that all the charges will be detonated, and a still further object is to so arrange the firing mechanism that aseries of circuit closing devices may. be employed by cross wiring from a mainline circuit, or may be used independently, with a battery and the mechanism placed near the charge to save wire.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully appear hereafter therein, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described'and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size. and minor details of the structure, maybe made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Inthe accompanying drawing: Figure'l is a front elevation of the mechanism for closp ing the circuit through a series of mine charges, embodying the invention, the wiring connections through electric magnets being shown diagrammatically. Fig. '2 is a detail sectional view, illustrating the clock face with contact points and the} hands of the clock. Fig. 3 is an end view of contact point.

contact point showing V Fig. 5is a rear elevation of the;c lock and shows Fig. 4 is a side view of alarm arbors, wing nut, holding arm showing also at- 6 a detailed. side elevation offthrow Specification ofL etters Patent.

Application filed April 6, 1907. Serial No. 366,729.

ratentedsept. 15, 1908.

arm and of a binding post 3 which the throw arm engages when released from wing nut" to complete the clrcult from w1re4: to wire 7. Fig. 6 1s a slde elevation of bmdmg'post and shows slot for throw arm (Fig. 6). Fig. '7 is" a front elevation showing modifications.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout v the'several'figures of the drawings.

In carryin out the present invention the f charges are a I placed in position by the minor in series and set off simultaneously and automatically by setting the mechanism of the apparatus at any time desired, whereby the operator is safe from premature explosions, as more than one connection is made before explosions occur, as when electric en ergy in form of batteries is contained in a paratus and if desired contact points may )e changed to suit time and conditions for charges to be exploded.

' If desired each miner may have an apparatus at his own room or working place, for firing his charges independently and he may use one or more drycells or battery of any desired make and place them in the apparatus, then make his connection from charges to apparatus to make connections which complete circuit through charges and eX plode them after he has left the mine. Or the a ara-tus may be cross wired from a main ne circuit by connecting to binding posts 50 and 51 and cutting out batteries 5,

5 5 and 5 and connecting wire 13 to bind-- ing post 51 and wire 4 to bindingbpost 50.

Each mechanism is controlled .In these drawir'is is shiiwn'a clo'clrof any suitable kind having a face 49' and-fixed to a face having the ordinary divisions and nu-'- merals. This clock .is provided with-*an alarm having a hand 47, for moving over: the usual divisionsof time. On the alarm] arbor Two or more arts ofthe mine may be set to fire the" charges at the sametime, ifthe conditions are favorable. I

'65 ers, and each charge is connected in multiple I v y its clock and each charge may be detonated throughis; fixed a nut I which when inposition;

shhwn in Fig. 1 holds down an arm 2 pivoted i1-i'eatcd by the pa. s

in a Slotted post 6 and held normally by the tension of a light. spring against the wing of the nut 1 so that, when under the action of the alarm spring the wing nutis moved in the direction indicated by the adjacent ar row and the wing being removed, the arm 2 is released and by its light spring is thrown over and automatically engages the slotted end of a fork 3. This causes the alarm bell to ring and warns the miners and at the same time establishes electrical connection between the wire 1 and the wire 7, through the post 3, bar 2 now engaging therewith, and through post 6. The wire is connected with a source of electric energy such as dry bat' terics 5,5", 5*, 5 The wire 7 is in connection with the., cloek frame through the binding screwS also set an nsulated contactpoint 9, arranged to be toucli'ed by the minute hand of the clock. It is set, for example, at the point oi live titty-five of the clock. It is connected with a wire'lO which leads to the coil of an electro-niagnet 11 and thence either to the ground or to the binding post- 17 on frame '12. To this post is connected the terminal wire 13 from the other pole of the bat tery through spring 14, armature 28 and wire 16. This completes the circuit, and when the minute hand 15, of the clock touches the contact point 9 it causes the armature of the magnet 11 to drop down in the contact point 18. Thiscompletes the circuit through wire 19and binding post 20 on the casing, and through the wire 21 to the fuse wire in the mine charge 22. In this is any known electric fuse. exploder, primer or ,ced terminals, whereby a. spark may be age of the current from the connections heretofore described and from the fuse wire of the charge QZthrough wire 23 to binding post 24 on the casing, through wire 3 5, to wire 1. 'lhrough this circuit the mine charge 22 is exploded. This occurs in the arrangement shown, where the minute hand of the clock reaches the point 9, or if the alarm is set at 5 oclock as indicated substantially in the figure, the alarm will be sounded at five oclock and the charge 22 will be exploded 55 minutes later. These mes and the arrangement of the contact points. are merely illustrative. By means of another circuit provision is made for the further automatic explosion, in a time limit, of

' another charge";

hen the armature touches the bindmg oost 18, this occurring when the minute ham: contacts with the point 9, it releases the conducting sprin 20, thereby permitting it to move/into contact with the bindingpost This completes circuit on to and through electroanagnetfi to ground and circuit may be traced from battery 5 to 5, wire 13, spring 14, armature 28, wire 16,

On the frame of the clock is charge 37.

binding post 17,,wire 29, s ring 26 which. is now bearing on block 30, )y being released from armature point'through armature (when pulled down) wires 31 to binding post 32 on ground frame-52. to 6 oclock when mine charge was ex )lodcd. Now, at 15 minutes to 7 oclock, or when the minutohand in its circuit reaches contact point 33, it completes the circuit through clock case to and through electro-magnet 27 to ground frame 52, and causes armature 35 on electro magnet .27, to come down on contact post 36, which completes circuit on to wire 38 and binding 0st 39, which is secured to casing and throng wire 40 to fuse wire of mine charge 37, and back from fuse wire 41, binding post 42, also, which is fastened to casing (Big. 1) and wire 43, to main wire 4', which completes circuit and explodes mine The circuit may be traced from battery 5, wire 13,'spring 14, armature 28, wire 16, binding post 17, wire 29 and spring '26, which is now bearing against contact block 30 by release when mine charge was exploded at 5:55 oclock. Wire 31, binding post 32, which is fastened to ground frame 5'2, armature 35, contact post 36, wire 38, binding post 39, wire 40, through mine charge 37, wire 41, binding'post 42, wire 43, to main line wire which completes the'circuit and explodes mine charge 37 at 6:45 oclock.

Then to prevent batteries 5 to 5" from running down by circuit being closed at 9 and 10 oclock, each hour as the minute hand would complete its circle at 9 and 11 oclock each hour, and to prevent danger the next day when the minor making his connections and'wiring his charges, attempting to connect wire from the ap aratus, (to make both safe) when the hour hand 44 comes in contact with contact 53 (similar to those heretofore de'scribed and illustrated in Fig. 2) at 7 oclock and 15 minutes after mine charge 37 has exploded, it causes the circuit to be complete through electrounagnet 15, which causes the circuit to be complete through electro-magnet 15, whichcausesarmature 23 to come down on magnet and releases spring 14, which breaks circuit between wires 13 and wire 16 and circuit may be traced from point of hour hand 44' to contact point 53, wire 46 to and through electro-magnct 1.5 to ground frame 47, which isgrounded until spring 11 is released. It is not set again until arm 2 is releascdfrom binding pc 3 and setunder wingi'lut 1 on alarm arbor which holds it there :until 5 oclock A. M. or P. M. In a device constructed in accordance with this inventionany number of charges may be exploded simultaneously or in successive order i and the intervals between explosions may be properly timed by adjusting the posit ions of the contact points 9, 33 and. ,5.3, w ilh respect to the minute and hour hands. The apparatus may be placed in any position and after It was five minutes the clock is wound it will automatically fire the'mine charges as the clock hand comes in contact with the several contact points.

Any'form or kind of a 'time clock may be em loyed and Figs. 6 and 7 may be dispensed wit by using electro magnets to' cut it in circuit as illustrated in Fig. 9. In this form withthe hands as shown, thealarm rings at voclock. At 7 the hour hand makes connectionsifrom spring point 14 to block at point-0f spring by being released from armature of electro-magnet 15 and completesthe circuit to electro-magnet 11 and spring 26. At 7:45 minute hand completes circuit through 'to electro-magnet 27 and explodes mine charge-22. At 7 :55 minute hand completes circuit through tdelectro-maghet 27 and explodes mine cliarges37. A fourth contact placed at 7 :57 whereby minute hand and electro-magnet 6 replaces spring 26 to original position at which it occupied at 7:57. At 8 o clock hour hand replaces spring 14 to original osition by closing circuit from contact 62 t irough electro-magnet'63.

My invention thus herein described, 'I claim as follows:

1. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a mam circuit including a-source of electric energy, a normally open switch included said circuit, a clock having means for automatically operating said switch to close the primary circuit at 'a predetermined time, a normally open auxiliary circuit, forming part of the main circuit and including said source of electrical energy and the mine charge, said auxiliary circuit being incapable of being closed to fire the charge prior to the closing of the main circuit and means carried by the clock for automatically closing said auxiliary circuit at a time subsequent to the closing of the switch in the main circuit.

2. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a main circuit including a source of electric energy, a normally open switch in said circuit, a clock having means for sounding an alarm and closing said switch, a plurality of normally 0 en auxiliary circuits,

including sai each forming art of t 1e primary circuit and source of electric energy and each arranged to explode an inde 'endent mine charge, and means carried by t 1e clock for independently and successively closing said auxlliary circuits attimes subsequent to the closing of the switch in the main circuit, said auxiliary circuits being incapable of being closed to fire the charge prior to the closing of the main circuit.

3. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a mam circuit including a source of electric energy and having two breaks therein, a clock having means for automatically closing the first break at a predetermined time, means carried by the clock for closing 65 the second break at a time subsequent to the closing of the first break, .a normally open I circuit, and means controlled by the passage of current through the main circuit for closing said auxiliary circuit, said auxiliary circuit being incapable of being closed prior to the closing of the main circuit.

'4. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a main circuit including a source of electric energy and having two breaks, a spring switch lever included in said circuit for closing one break, an alarm clock having an alarm arbor engaging said switch lever to hold it'in open position until the sounding of an alarm at a predetermined time, means whereby the arrival of one of the hands at a determined position closes the other break, a normally open auxiliary circuit forming part of the main circuit and including said source of electric energy, means whereby the passage of current through the main circuit closes said auxiliary circuit, and a mine charge adapted to be fired by the passage of current through said auxiliary circuit said auxiliary circuit being inc-a )able of being closed prior to the closing of the main circuit.

5. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, amain circuit including a source of electric energy and having two breaks, a switch lever included in said, circuit for clos- .ing one break, a spring tending normally to close said switch, an alarm clock having means for holding said switch lever in open posit-ion until a predetermined time, means carried by the clock for closing the other breakat a time subsequent to the closing of the first break to establish a complete circuit, an auxiliary circuit forming part of the main circuit, and including the source of electric current and mine charge, a normally open switch controlling said auxiliary circuit, and an electro-magnet in the main circuit for operating said-switch.

6. In an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a main circuit including a source of electric energy and having two breaks, a switch lever for closing one break, a spring tending normally to close said switch, an alarm clock having means for holding said switch lever in open ,position until a predetermined time, means carried by the clock for subsequently closing the other break to establish a complete circuit, an electromagnet included in said main circuit, an auxiliary circuit forming part of said main circuitand including said source of electric energy and a mine charge, a switch included in said auxiliary circuit adapted to be closed by the energizing of said magnet, a branch circuit adapted to be connected with the main circuit by the operation of said magnet, a second normally open auxiliary circuit including said source of electric energy and a second. mine charge, and means whereby a second closing of the main circuit by the biocli Wili eiose said secend auxiliary circuit and fire the second charge.

7. in an apparatus for exploding mine charges, a main. circuit including a source of electri energy and having two breaks, it normaiiy open switch iever included in said circuit for closing one break, an alarm clock having means for closing said switch at a pre determined time, means operated by the min-- ute hand of the clock for closing the other break, an eleetromagnet included in said circuit, an auxiliary circuit forming part of said main circuit and including said source of electric energy and a mine charge, a switch lever included in said auxiliary circuit and designed in be operated by the energizing of the mag .et to fire the charge, a normaily closed switch inthe main circuit, and means contrelled by the movement of the hour hand for opening said normally closed switch.

8. In an apparatus for exploding n'zine charges, a mam circuit including a source of electrical energy and having two breaks, means for closing one of said breaks at a predetermined time, means for subsequently closing the other break to estahiish a cur: ent in the main circuit, a normally open auxiliary circuit, forming part of said main circuit and means operated by th passage of current through the main circuit for closing the auxiliary circuit, and a mine charge adapted to be fired by the passage of current through the auxiliary circuit.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES I. DODSON, Witnesses Len BIVIN, N. F. GRAOEY. 

